Word Count: 4,735

Official Description: After years of war and unrequited love, an Infantryman returns from the front, reuniting with the only girl he ever wanted.

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MF’er says: It’s no secret to anyone in the fandom that Vixen1836 is known for her knowledge of military boys. If you were as I was – a devoted reader of her multi-chaptered story: Black & White – you know she’s done the research, making her the unquestionable go-to girl for all things Military (in my heart, anyway ).

Finding out that she’d written for the ‘Officer and a Gentleman’ contest hosted by the lovely ladies over at the Perv Pack had me grinning like a fool, because like I said – we’ve all seen what she’s capable of.

This piece – written entirely in third person – is absolutely gorgeous. The heartache and emotion can be felt from the very first paragraph until you reach the last few words.

Edward is a soldier, filled with unrequited love for a girl who he’d stood by and watched as they grew up. He considers the option of asking her to join him in a walk… but time passes, they move on.

It isn’t until he’s on the front line, trapped in the middle of a war that he begins to think of her, to use her as his comfort.

He fought when he was told to, but in free time he daydreamed of her smile and sweetness, unsure of why it was always her.

When he finally returns home, he learns that the girl he loves – Bella – has moved, is now the widow of a different soldier. In a bold move, he sends her a letter and reaches out to tell her how he feels.

Unbeknownst to him that Bella remembers the boy from her childhood, and has thought of him throughout the years.

Bella Swan hardly knew Edward Cullen beyond their playground interactions so many years ago. She remembered that he was quiet and regular in all the ways that counted, with a handsome face and kind eyes. The summer after they had all finished school, she’d seen him at the market in his tidy Infantry uniform, thinking he’d grown into a fine man. His tight jacket displayed his obvious strength, causing her to linger in the aisle near the dairy, watching him select eggs.

His letter moves these characters toward a reunion that is beautiful and heartfelt and though Edward has loved her for years, Bella had never entertained the thought of him feeling that way about her. She needs time to catch up with his feelings.

The way he looked at her was hypnotic, as if he had a thousand questions to ask her. Already, she adored the way he laughed and how he spoke softly and smiled genuinely. The very thought of him in his once-worn uniform made her blush.

She liked him, and perhaps even more.

The conclusion is… I don’t know how to describe the beauty in Vixen’s words. I keep trying to come up with a proper way to communicate that this was probably one of the best pieces of non-smutty smut I’ve ever read.

Fascinated by the feel of him, her small tongue swept over her lips, the flash of white teeth biting skin all he could handle. Breaking from the spell, his hands slid above her bottom, pulling their bodies flush. When their lips finally met, he groaned, tasting and feeling her after years of fantasy. Eager but temperate, their tongues touched, the sensation of warmth and wetness weakening his waning restraint. Her kiss was shy at first, but when he grasped her chin for more, that action unlocked pieces of her heart. Bella could feel the nights of loneliness, taste his passion for her on his tongue.

The need for dialog between the characters is simply non-existent, the build-up and the beauty of the words are enough that I have no doubt you will finish this with a smile on your face just as I have. Go read and love!